Sexual Risk Behavior Correlates of HPV Vaccination Initiation in College Females

Background: Sexual risk behaviors are associated with one-time preventative measures such as ever having an STD screening. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between HPV vaccination initiation and (1) sexual risk behaviors and (2) socio-demographic variables.

Methods: A subset of college females (n=832) enrolled in an introductory health course completed an online risk behavior survey at a southeastern university. Demographic variables and sexual risk behaviors were compared to HPV vaccination status. Chi-square analyses were used to test for significant differences between females who had and had not initiated the HPV vaccination series. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between independent variables and vaccination initiation. Because sexual behaviors were highly correlated with each other, separate regressions were ran to avoid multicoliniarity. Findings were significant at <0.05.

Results: Of the 832 female students, 358 (43%) reported initiating the HPV vaccination series. Minority females were half as likely as non-Hispanic white females to be vaccinated, and insured females were twice as likely as uninsured females to be vaccinated. Compared to females who had no sexual partners, females who reported 4+ lifetime vaginal partners were 1.87 times more likely to initiate the vaccine; females receiving oral sex from 4+ lifetime partners were 2.02 times more likely to initiate the vaccine; and females performing oral sex on 4+ partners were 2.20 time more likely to initiate the vaccine.

Conclusion: HPV-related college programs should include discussions of sexual risk behaviors associated with infection and overcoming barriers to HPV vaccination.